The New York Birthday Show {Hope to See You There!}

Disclaimer: The Mamas Network has been provided me with press pass tickets to attend The New York Birthday Show with my family. All opinions are my own. 

The New York Birthday Show comes to the New York Hall of Science in Queens on October 20, 2013 with the biggest birthday party ever to provide families with tons of birthday experiences under one roof. Open to parents and children of all ages, attendees will have a blast at the ultimate birthday party and receive unprecedented insider access to some of the best entertainment, hands on activities, dessert samples, and DIY products currently available in area.

I have never been to The Birthday Party Show before and I'm so excited to be going next week! The Boy will be 8 years old in January and it's been years since we've thrown him a real birthday party. Every year it's the same thing - should we or shouldn't we? But this year, I really want to do something special. I'm hoping The New York Birthday Show will give me some ideas. 

It's also going to be held at The New York Hall of Science - one of the many places we go. 

(The New York Hall of Science presents 450 exhibits, demonstrations and design spaces that explain science, technology, engineering and math. A visit to NYSCI is a hands-on, energetic educational experience where you can indulge your curiosity and nurture your creativity.) The Boy is familiar with the Hall of Science so it should be a fun family day for us. Other things we'll get to see and enjoy will be: 

• Showcases of the Best Party Venues
• Performances from NYC’s Best Entertainers for Kids
• Cupcake and Cake Decorating Stations
• Sampling of sweet treats
• Cool Decorations and Supplies

Wait...there's MORE!  

• Amazing giveaways from the show’s over 65 exhibitors including fabulous prizes like a $500 spa birthday party from Glitzy Chicks Spa Parties, 2 hour face painting package worth $150 from ShellBell Face Painting, a 1 hour clowning package worth $300 from Bubbles the Clown and more!
• All Day Access to the New York Hall of Science and the Science Playground. If you've never taken your kid to the Hall of Science, this is the perfect time to go. 

All kids who come in costume receive a FREE trick or treat bag to collect goodies from our exhibitors.

When: Sunday October 20th, 2013 10 am – 4 pm
Where: New York Hall of Science - 47-01 111th Street, Corona, NY 11368
Cost: Free with NYSCI Admission - www.nysci.org/visit-main/tickets/

Advanced Ticket Savings: Buy your NYSCI admission tickets in advance before October 19, 2013 at http://www.nysci.org/event/new-york-birthday-show-2013 to save up to 20% off. Cost: $15 Adult (18+) $13 Child (2-17), Student (w/ID), Senior (62+)/ Under 2 Free

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Disclaimer: The Mamas Network has provided me with press pass tickets to attend The New York Birthday Show with my family. All opinions are my own. 

Too Close To Home | #FindAvonte

It's officially a week since 14-year-old Avonte Oquendo has been missing. Last step as I stepped off the 6 train in The Bronx, I paused on the platform to listen to the announcement - it was a message about Avonte. I pulled Norrin's (I usually refer to him as 'The Boy') hoody over his head, the wind was picking up.

Every night this week, I've wondered if Avonte's cold, hungry, tired and missing his mother. Every night this week, I've held Norrin's hand a little bit tighter. This story hits too close to home for me. And my emotions are all over the place.  

Avonte could easily be Norrin in a few years and it's scary to see how easily a kid could fall through the cracks of a broken system. 

Like Norrin, Avonte was in a 6:1:1 classroom in a Queens public school (District 75). Avonte walked out of his room, down two flights of stairs and passed a security guard. The guard asked Avonte where he was going, when he didn't answer (because Avonte is non-verbal), the guard assumed he was "one of the regular kids." The school took an hour before notifying Avonte's mother, Vanessa Fontaine. 

The school was absolutely negligent and it's a disgrace. How are special needs parents supposed to have faith in the public school system? For me, it's just another glaring example of how the public school system is ill equipped to work with individuals with special needs. Something NEEDS to be done.   

I think of Norrin's kindergarten year and how hard I fought to get him out of that public school and away from District 75. And while I love Norrin's current school, still I wonder. Avonte reminds me of how vulnerable we really are. There are so many people I have to rely on - teachers, bus drivers, matrons, baby sitters. Will they be able to keep Norrin safe? 

Yesterday morning, I saw Avonte's mother on television and I cried. I could see the pain in her eyes and feel her heart ache. When you have a child with special needs, wandering is your worst nightmare - especially in a city like New York. 

"[Avonte] is supposed to have one-to-one supervision at all times," Fontaine [Avonte's mother] said through tears. "He has the mental capacity of a 7- or 8-year-old." (CNN)

I don't know Avonte or any member of his family. But I grew up in Queens, I have a special needs sister who went to school in Long Island City. I have a son with autism. This is too close to home for me and I am praying for Avonte's safe return to his family.  

And I want to do everything within my power to help. 

Whenever a white child with autism goes missing, my social media feeds are saturated with posts and tweets. Blog posts are written and shared, hashtags used. There is this sense of urgency. I haven't seen that with Avonte Oquedo. When a brown kid with autism goes missing, the sense of urgency doesn't seem as great.

Autism is a spectrum and it comes in every color. All of our kids matter. Avonte could be any of our kids. And I wish that more were being done in the media.  

New Yorkers often get a bad rap for being rude and apathetic but in these moments - we all really come together as a community. That's what I've seen this week. And that makes me so proud of my city. It gives me HOPE. Hope is all we have right now. 

Tonight (Friday, 10/11) at 5pm there will be a vigil in Queens for Avonte Oquendo at the tent next to Center Boulevard School in Long Island City.   

Three Boroughs, Strawberry Quik and Candy Apples

I had big plans for today.  BIG!  I've wanted to post a Sundays In My City for the longest.  Today was my day.  I woke up early. Ate a good breakfast.  Did a quick load of laundry.  Packed a lunch for The Boy.  Packed the cameras.  All so that we could head into Queens for a day at the zoo. 

It took less than 20 minutes to cross the Whitestone Bridge and arrive at Flushing Meadow. After 45 minutes looking for parking, we decided a day at the zoo just wasn't in the cards.  Since we were in Queens, we stopped by parents house.  It was 10:30 in the morning and they were still in their jammies, eating breakfast.  They were also heading out to Staten Island so we left.

We drove to Manhattan to visit the compadres (aka Nino and Uncle Johnny). After a little lunch, we left.  The Boy needed to look for leaves and The Husband had a Giants game to watch.

Before heading back to The Bronx, we took a stroll along the Riverbank.

I would have stayed out there longer but The Boy said the magic words: I have to poop.  

Needless to say we hurried home to The Bronx.

Later that afternoon, I took The Boy out to the playground so that The Husband could have a few hours to himself to watch the game.      

After a while, The Boy said he had to go to the supermarket.  I didn't need anything from the market, but hey, I went with it.  He did so well in the supermarket!  He walked in and knew exactly what he "needed."  He also needed cookies, but I had to draw the line.  

I felt bad that our day didn't go the way I wanted.  But I guess there's  always next Sunday.

What's a Sunday like in your City?  
Unknown Mami's Sundays In My City.